Annestown (Waterford)
- Beginners, Advanced riders
- Best for
- Intermediate
- Skill Level
- Mixed
- Spot Type
- Quiet
- Crowd Level
This spot information is AI-assisted and has not been human verified. It may be incomplete, outdated, or incorrect. Verify safety, access, local rules, and current conditions with official or local sources before riding.
About
Annestown is a fairly exposed beach-and-reef surf spot on the Waterford coast, known for working with a variety of conditions and typically offering consistent surf year-round. The lineup combines beach break peaks with more challenging reef/rocky sections toward the edges, including both left- and right-hand options on good days. The most reliable pattern for quality waves is a Southwest swell combined with offshore winds from the north. With North winds offshore, conditions are described as cleaner and more groomed; when the wind is wrong or the energy is high, the waves can turn messy, especially near the rockier parts of the bay. For tide, the spot is repeatedly favored at mid to high tide. This matters both for wave shape and for safety: rocks and reef sections can be hidden just below the surface when the tide is higher, so takeoff and navigation require extra attention around the known hazard areas. Water is consistently cool, with winter temperatures reported around the low teens °C and summer warming into the mid-to-high teens. A spring-to-winter wetsuit approach is strongly indicated, including boots and additional thermal protection in colder months, along with a helmet/impact protection mindset because of the rock exposure.
- Offshore north winds tend to clean up the surf
- Beach-and-reef mix with lefts and rights (including a left-hand reef option)
- Generally short-to-medium rides, with longer ride potential on better swells and mid/high tides
- Consistent surf in a beach-and-reef environment that can work year-round
- North winds are offshore and tend to produce cleaner, groomed conditions
- Longer rides are possible on better swells and the right tide
- Rocks and reef sections on both the approach and takeoff zones
- Rip currents can occur on larger swells near rocky headlands
- Can get messy on windy days
Wind, water and seasons
Wind
- Direction
- N
- Offshore directions
- N
- Wind Range
- 15–25 kts
- Wind Type
- Gradient — Reported as gradient conditions for surf days.
- Reliability
- 39%
- Gust Factor
- Steady — Also described elsewhere as gusty/heavy gusts; treat as variable depending on conditions.
- Best Months
- January
- Shadow Zones
- High cliffs around the beach can create significant wind shadows and near-shore turbulence.
Water & beach
- Water Type
- Mixed
- Beach
- Sand — Sandy beach with reef/rock formations influencing the bottom.
- Beach Size
- Small
- Waves
- Small — Also described as working from around 1.5–2.0 m and holding up to about 2.5 m+ on bigger days.
- Launch
- Small — Narrow sandy beach with cliffs and rock formations along the sides.
- Launch Difficulty
- Moderate — Described as moderate overall; easy access is also reported in other summaries.
Through the year
Rain is possible year-round, with increased storm activity from November through February.
By sport
What to expect for each.
Fairly exposed beach-and-reef setup in a cliff-fringed cove offering a mix of beach and reef peaks. Lefts and rights are available, including a more reef-specific left-hand option on the edges; waves are generally consistent year-round when swell and wind line up.
- Optimal Swell
- SW, S, SE
- Swell Height
- 1.5–2.5 m
- Optimal Tide
- Mid, High — Mid and high tide positions are repeatedly favored; also mentioned as working on rising/falling tides.
- Shelter
- Exposed — Exposed coastline with reef and rock formations; wind can create turbulence near the shore due to cliff surroundings.
- Wind Effect
- Best with offshore north winds, producing cleaner/groomed conditions.
- Bigger Swell
- Holds size reasonably well, but can become messy with excessive energy; reported to hold up to around 2.5 m (8 ft+) on bigger swells.
- Wave Quality
- Good — Good wave quality reported overall.
- Wave Power
- Moderate — Generally moderate; can get messy with too much energy.
- Wave Shape
- Mixed — Described as peeling/mixed depending on conditions.
- Peel Speed
- Medium — Consistent medium peeling described.
- Ride Length
- Short — Usually short (< 50 m) though rides can extend on better swells/tides.
- Typical Ride Length
- 50–150 m
- Ride Length Details
- Typically usually less than 50 meters on many days, but rides can range up to about 50–150 meters depending on swell and tide.
Check the forecast before you go
See wind, waves, weather and session windows for Annestown (Waterford) in the full forecast view.
Annestown (Waterford) wind and wave forecast summary
- Wind
- 7–31 ktsGusts 48 kts
- Direction
- SW223°
- Strongest day
- Sat, Oct 2431 kts
- Windy days
- 7/712 kts or more
- Waves
- 0.8–3.8 m7s period
- Temperature
- 8–15 °C
Over the next 7 days, Annestown (Waterford) is forecast for daytime winds of 7–31 kts, peaking around 31 kts on Saturday, October 24 with gusts to 48 kts. The prevailing direction is SW. Waves run 0.8–3.8 m with a period of about 7s. Based on the Wavind model, in the spot’s local time.
Other spots in the area
What to know before you launch
Safety, access, restrictions, rescue, and local rules can change. Treat these details as informational and confirm them locally before launching.
Hazards
- Rocks
- Submerged reef sections
- Rip currents (especially near rocky headlands on larger swells)
- Cliff proximity
- Sharp reef sections
Rescue & support
- Lifeguard
- None — No lifeguard presence reported.
- Rescue & Self-Rescue
- Limited — Regional context indicates limited rescue availability with Coast Guard monitoring.
- Emergency Info
- In an emergency, call 999 or 112. Nearest major medical facilities are in Waterford City.
- Localism / Vibe
- None — Reported as no special localism; still expect respectful behavior.
Rules of the spot
Respect other surfers and follow general water-safety etiquette. Use extra caution when waves are windy and messy.
- Watch out for rocks; they can become hidden just below the surface at higher tide.
- Works best on a pushing mid-tide, and on mid to high tide overall.
- North winds are offshore here and tend to produce cleaner conditions.
Getting there & access
- Nearest City
- Waterford City
- Nearest Town
- Tramore
- Parking
- Small designated parking area overlooking the beach.
- Access
- Leave Waterford City and head for Tramore. From Tramore, take the coast road toward Dungarvan; Annestown is along that road after about 10 minutes. Beach access is via the R675.
- Cost Level
- Moderate
- Local Language
- English
What's on the beach
- Accommodation
- Nearby town — Bed and breakfasts and guesthouses are available around the Copper Coast area and in Tramore.
- Food & Drink
- Limited options in the immediate village; more cafes and restaurants are located in nearby Tramore.
- Equipment Rental:
- No rentals directly on the beach; shops are available in Tramore.
No schools or services are listed for this spot yet.
Off the water
The Copper Coast area is characterized by dramatic cliffs, secluded coves, and geology-rich scenery, with a generally quieter feel than the larger beach areas closer to Tramore.
Outdoor museum highlighting 19th-century mining heritage and unique geological formations.
Ruins of an early 13th-century castle overlooking the Anne Valley.
A 46km off-road cycling and walking trail along the old railway line from Waterford to Dungarvan.
Popular local restaurant in Fenor serving locally sourced Irish cuisine.
Community-run playground and wildlife bog walk nearby.
From riders who've been here
Latest reported conditions
Spot questions
Frequently asked questions
When is the best season at Annestown (Waterford)?
The best overall months at Annestown (Waterford) are January.
Which wind directions work at Annestown (Waterford)?
Annestown (Waterford) works with N winds. Offshore directions are N.
What skill level is Annestown (Waterford) suitable for?
Annestown (Waterford) suits these riding levels: Surfing: Beginner to Intermediate.